The New Jersey Titans looked for consecutive wins against the Northeast Generals for the first time in almost four years, but fell short on Sunday at the Middletown Sports Complex, falling by a score of 7-4 to split the weekend series against the division’s five-time defending champion.
Things started as well as the Titans could have hoped, when Vlad Zakharov scored his second goal in as many games on the power play to open the scoring at the 9:23 mark of the first period. Nikita Suvorov and Nick Bianco picked up the assists, as Bianco recorded his first point since a goal on October 28th against Norwich, shortly before he was lost for the season due to injury. Will Fliss would double the lead for the Titans with a power play goal of his own, assisted by Daniil Korobeynikov, at 11:01 to make the game 2-0 and chasing Northeast’s starting goaltender to the bench. The Generals would get one back 4 minutes later, but a third power play goal would restore the two goal lead when Matteo Ruffalo scored his first in the NA3HL with 4.9 seconds remaining. Korobeynikov and Suvorov received the assists, and the Titans went into the first intermission up 3-1, outshooting Northeast 20-15 in the opening 20 minutes.
However, the Generals came out of their locker room hungry to begin the second period, scoring 2:12 into the frame to draw within one. They would score twice more to take their first lead of the weekend, 4-3, into the second intermission. Northeast then found the back of the net just over six minutes into the third period to extend their lead to 5-3. Juno Ryu potted his second goal of the season for the Titans halfway through the third to bring the Titans within a goal, with Korobeynikov getting his third assist of the game. That would be the last gasp of New Jersey’s offense, as they were outshot 24-7 in the final stanza. A pair of goals late would put the game out of reach, sending the Titans to their first loss of the season by a 7-4 final score. Nick Gould was again peppered with shots, stopping 46 of the 53 sent his way. Along with his 65 saves yesterday, his .933 save percentage ranks second in the league.
The Titans will be idle next weekend, before heading up to Lewiston, Maine, for the first time in franchise history. Games are scheduled for Friday, September 27th at 7:30pm, and Saturday, September 28th, at 7:00pm from The Colisee. Both games will be available to watch on NAHLtv.com.